CHAMPIONS !! - Robinson double gives Poppies 3-0 win over AFC Telford Utd
Kettering Town 3 AFC Telford Utd 0 Kettering Town take on 3rd-placed AFC Telford Utd this Saturday at the A-Line Arena, looking to bounce back from last week's poor performance which resulted in the Poppies first reverse in six matches. Poppies boss Mark Cooper swaps out Beardsley for Marna and Galbraith joins the bench. A great start for the Poppies in this top-of-the table clash, as Anthony Robinson scores his first goal for Kettering, a superb finish to give the home side a 1-0 lead on ten minutes. The attacking trio up front for the Poppies have been pulling the visitor's defence all over the place and Westcarr broke down the line, crossed for the lively Anthony Robinson who fired home to put Kettering 2-0 up on 25 minutes and well in control at this point in the match. With seven minutes left to the break, Telford make a tactical substitution to try and give some respite to their beleagured defence and fight their way back into this match. Kettering corner not cleared and Westcarr crossed for Bridges who fired narrowly wide of the goalpost. The home side well worth their 2-0 lead and have been fired up from the start today. Half-time: Kettering Town 2 Telford Utd 0 Kettering pickup where they left-off the first period at a very windy Rockingham Road ground and no doubt Mark Cooper has told them to be patient and continue the excellent work rate of the first 45 minutes. A little bit scrappy with 15 minutes of the second period gone as Telford try to get back into the match. Telford attack breaks down and Marna surges forward and unleashes a strike from 20 yds, but former Poppy keeper Ryan Young, now in the Bucks goal is not threatened much by that one. Marna through on a fast break is clearly obstructed by Asa Charlton who gets away with a booking. Another break sees Ryan collect comfortably from a Jon Brady strike. Midway through the second period and the rain lashes down at the A-Line Arena. Kettering not playing with the pave of the first 45 minutes and the visitors starting to gain more possession. The sunshine finally wins through as the match enters the final 15 minutes and at this point the visitors still can't find a way past a solid Kettering defence. Kettering break fast again and Jean-Paul Marna is brought down in the box, the referee points to the penalty spot. Debate about who takes it, naturally Robinson wanted it, but Westcarr steps forward, strike saved by Ryan Young, rebound blasted over the bar, still 2-0. Marna replaced by Beardsley. Telford push forward for a free-kick but the ball is cleared and Westcarr races clear, crosses to David Bridges who fires home to make it 3-0 and wrap up the win for a Kettering to the obvious delight of the large home support. The final whistle sees Kettering run out 2-0 winners after an all-round solid performance and the jubilant home support engulfs the Poppies players on the pitch. Scores around the BSN confirm the news and Kettering Town are crowned Blue Square North CHAMPIONS !!! Att: 2,520 Kettering: Harper, Eaden, Dempster, Kemp, Branston, Solkhon, Brady, Bridges, Robinson, Marna, Westcarr. Subs: Beardsley, Mills, Graham, Bussey, Galbraith. Telford: Young, Roberts, Nwadike, Vaughan, Charlton, Khela, Rodgers, Adams, Forsdick, Reynolds, Holmes, Subs: Lewis, Moore, Jagielka, Fitzpatrick, Thomas. April 5, 2008
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